Department of Health and Social Care

TPP: Contracts

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what contracts NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have with The Phoenix Partnership and for what services; and what assessment they have made of the appropriateness of it providing such services.

Lord Markham: The Department is the contracting authority for two consecutive framework agreements on which The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) has been appointed as a supplier, and awarded call-off contracts. These frameworks are the GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC), from 2014, and the GP IT Futures framework agreement (GPITF FA), which succeeded the GPSoC in 2020. The GPITF FA is the main contractual framework to supply IT systems and services to general practices (GPs) and associated organisations in England. The GPITF FA is operationally managed by NHS England, and the relevant contracting authorities under the call-off contracts are the individual integrated care boards, who contract on behalf of GPs.In addition to managing the GPITF FA on behalf of the Department, NHS England is the contracting authority on three active contracts with TPP for: GP IT development and compliance; provision of Point of Care services to the NHS England Vaccination Programme; and provision of IT services to residential places of detention under the Health and Justice Information Systems contract.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a statutory requirement to report on the performance of the national immunisation programmes, and in June 2022, TPP was awarded a contract to extract this data directly from GPs' systems for the UKHSA, with a successor contract being awarded for the same work in October 2023. All Government contracts are awarded fairly and transparently, in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. All decisions on contracts are rigorously scrutinised to assess a company’s ability to perform and deliver the best value for money for the taxpayer.

Gender Dysphoria: Children and Young People

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government why the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2020 evidence review ofgender-affirming hormones for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria was not referenced in the list of resources which informed NHS England’s decision on the prescription of gender-affirming hormones for children and adolescents.

Lord Markham: NHS England has not adopted a new policy for gender-affirming hormones. NHS England made a consequential amendment to their gender-affirming hormones policy to bring it into alignment with the new puberty suppressing hormones policy. This planned update was set out in the puberty suppressing hormones policy consultation documents.NHS England has put additional safeguards on the use of cross-sex hormones, for instance that any prescription to young people aged between 16 and 18 years old must be approved by a national multi-disciplinary team.NHS England will continue to review the gender affirming hormone policy in line with the latest clinical advice, and will take note of recommendations set out in the Cass Review, once the final report has been delivered.

Medical Equipment: Storage

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 9 February (HL2216), why the information mentioned in the Answer on government expenditure is commercially sensitive.

Lord Markham: At the time of answering, the Department was engaged in commercial negotiations with NHS Supply Chain and their sub-contractors, relating to ongoing storage requirements for the COVID Strategic Intensive Care Unit. In December 2023, the average per pallet per week cost for equipment in the COVID Strategic Intensive Care Unit was £5.52.The Department currently makes payments to NHS Supply Chain in relation to storage of personal protective equipment (PPE). At end of December 2023 there were 492,259 pallets, or 5.1 billion items, of COVID-19 PPE remining in storage. This includes both business as usual and excess stock.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Health Services

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the 2021 NICE guidance for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has been implemented (1) in general, and (2) in relation to the training health and social care professionals on how to employ the new recommendations, (a) establishing a UK-wide network of hospital-based ME/CFS specialist services, (b) making all NHS services accessible and capable of providing personalised ongoing care and support to those with ME/CFS, and (c) ensuring social care provision for ME/CFS is monitored and regularly reviewed.

Lord Markham: No formal assessment has been made of the extent to which the 2021 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), has been implemented.NHS England does not centrally commission services for ME. Services to support people living with ME are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs) to meet the needs of their local population, and are not reviewed or assessed by NHS England centrally. In October 2023, the British Association of Clinicians in ME published their ME/CFS National Services Survey 2023. This survey provides insight on the services being delivered for adults, and children and young people, living with ME. A copy of the survey is attached.In relation to the training of health and social care professionals, it is the duty of clinicians to keep themselves appraised of best practice, in particular guidance issued by the NICE. The Department is working with NHS England to develop an e-learning course on ME for healthcare professionals, with the aim of supporting staff to be able to provide better care and improve patient outcomes. This has involved feedback and input from the ME Research Collaborative (MERC) Patient Advisory Group. The Medical Schools Council will promote the NHS England e-learning package on ME to all United Kingdom medical schools, and encourage medical schools to provide undergraduates with direct patient experience of ME.The Department published My full reality: an interim delivery plan for ME/CFS in August 2023, which sets out a number of actions to improve the experiences and outcomes for people living with the condition, including better education of professionals and improvements to service provision. More information about the interim plan is available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.Alongside the publication of the interim delivery plan, we ran a public consultation to build a picture of how well the plan meets the needs of the ME community, and to understand if there are any gaps where further action may be necessary. The Department is currently analysing over 3,000 responses to the consultation on the interim delivery plan on ME, and will publish a final delivery plan later this year.In relation to the monitoring of social care provision for individuals with ME, the Department has made a landmark shift in how we hold local authorities to account for their adult social care duties, through a new Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment. The CQC will examine how well local authorities deliver their Care Act duties, increasing transparency and accountability and, most importantly, driving improved outcomes for people, including those with ME, who draw on care and support. The CQC completed five pilot assessments and is now rolling out assessment to all local authorities.BACME National Services Survey 2023 (pdf, 1537.0KB)

Gender Dysphoria: Children and Young People

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government why NHS England has decided to allow the prescription of gender affirming hormones as a routine commissioning treatment option for young people from around their 16th birthday after only a literature review and without consulting medical and other specialists, or taking note other countries’ experience of such hormones.

Lord Markham: NHS England has not adopted a new policy for gender-affirming hormones since 2016. NHS England made a consequential amendment to their gender-affirming hormones policy to bring it into alignment with the new puberty suppressing hormones policy. This planned update was set out in the puberty suppressing hormones policy consultation documents.NHS England has put additional safeguards on the use of cross-sex hormones, including that any prescription to young people aged between 16 to 18 must be approved by a national multi-disciplinary team.NHS England will continue to review the gender affirming hormone policy in line with the latest clinical advice and take note of recommendations set out once the Cass Review has delivered its final report.

Health Services: Data Protection

Baroness Manzoor: To ask His Majesty's Government how many incidents of patient records or personal data being accessed without due cause have been recorded in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Lord Markham: Health and care organisations are required to submit data breach reports within 72 hours of an incident. Data breach incidents are reported to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), who then investigate and decide what action to take. Notifiable breaches are those that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of the individual, referred to as the data subject. NHS England publishes the number of incidents reported through the Data Security and Protection Toolkit on its website. In 2023, 996 incidents were reported to the ICO, but not all of these would have involved patient details being accessed without due cause. The ICO publishes details on its website of incidents where it takes enforcement action.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Billing

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government whatis the average time a business waits for the payment of an invoice from the Ministry of Defence.

The Earl of Minto: As per Cabinet Office guidance, the Ministry of Defence aims to pay 90% of all undisputed and validated invoices for Small to Medium Enterprises within 5 days of receipt. Additionally, MoD is committed that 100% of all undisputed and validated invoices should be paid within 30 days. Ministry of Defence reports its supplier payment performance, invoice processing and MoD contract payments in line with statutory requirements and reports its results quarterly at GOV.UK Ministry of Defence supplier invoicing and payment information - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Table below shows results for financial year 2023-2024 by quarter. Financial year runs from April 2023 to March 2024.  Ministry of Defence payment performance 2023-2024Financial year  2023-2024Percentage of invoices paid  within 5 days[1]Percentage of invoices paid  within 30 daysFirst Quarter94.13%99.24%Second Quarter94.08%99.29%Third Quarter87.35%99.25% [1] This includes all suppliers not just Small to Medium Enterprises

France and Germany: Tanks

Lord Lee of Trafford: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they were invited to participate in the recently announced Franco-German Main Ground Combat System which is intended to jointly provide a successor tank to the Leopard and Leclerc.

The Earl of Minto: The Ministry of Defence has requested observer status for the Main Ground Combat System programme.

Chinook Helicopters: Accidents

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will release the documents relating to the1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash.

The Earl of Minto: I refer the Noble Lord to the answers given by my Right Honourable Friend, The Minister for Defence People and Families, in the other place on 26 February 2024 (UIN 13866) and on 15 March 2024 (UIN 17490).Chinook Helicopters (docx, 28.9KB)

Department for Transport

Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (17105), what discussions have taken place between the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency regarding the Motorcycle Industry Association’s 'A Licence to Net Zero' campaign.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to reviewing all aspects of motorcycle training and testing. It is working with key industry representatives, including the Motorcycle Industry Association, to plan the next roundtable meeting scheduled for 8 May 2024. The roundtable meeting will explore reforms to motorcycle training and testing, and licensing for L category vehicles as set out in the ‘A Net Licence to Zero’ action plan.

Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 12 February (12929), when they will publish the chapter on zero emission powered light vehicles for the Local Authority Transport Decarbonisation Toolkit.

Lord Davies of Gower: The guidance for Local Authorities on zero emission powered light vehicles is being finalised and is expected to be published shortly.

Motorcycles: Training

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (HC17308), whether they will publish a response to the Motorcycle Industry Association's "A Net Licence to Zero" proposals ahead of the scheduled roundtable.

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) on 18 March (HC17308), whether the 8 Mayround table will discuss (1) thetimeline for implementation of L-Category licence reform or (2) the parliamentary process for L-Category licensing.

Lord Davies of Gower: We are continuing to review these proposals, and will respond in due course. They will be covered at the proposed meeting.

Abnormal Loads

Earl Attlee: To ask His Majesty's Government how many businesses, or their obvious subsidiaries, have been granted a Special Order under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to move an abnormal load, or loads, at a gross weight exceeding 150 tonnes in the most recent 12-month period for which the figures are available.

Lord Davies of Gower: National Highways, who manage motorways and major A roads in England, between April 2023 and March 2024 issued 20 hauliers with a Special-Order permit for vehicles with a S.O. weight exceeding 150,000kgs. Data for roads managed by local authorities is not held by the Department for Transport.

Abnormal Loads

Earl Attlee: To ask His Majesty's Government how many businesses, or their obvious subsidiaries, have been granted a VR1 Authorisation under an order made under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to move an exceptionally wide load in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

Lord Davies of Gower: National Highways, who manage motorways and major A roads in England, between April 2023 and March 2024 issued 86 hauliers with a VR1 permit (widths exceeding 5.0m and up to and including 6.1m). Data for roads managed by local authorities is not held by the Department for Transport.

Abnormal Loads

Earl Attlee: To ask His Majesty's Government how many businesses, or their obvious subsidiaries, have been granted a Special Order made under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to move an exceptionally wide load in excess of 6.1 metres wide in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

Lord Davies of Gower: National Highways, who manage motorways and major A roads in England, issued 23 hauliers with a Special-Order permit for vehicles with a width exceeding 6.1m. Data for roads managed by Local Authorities is not held by the Department for Transport.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Radicalism: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government why Northern Ireland has been excluded from the Community EngagementPrinciplesfor countering extremism.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Engagement undertaken in Northern Ireland is exempt from the engagement principles to reflect the unique political and historical circumstances in that country. The engagement principles do not apply to the engagement undertaken by the devolved administrations themselves.The UK Government is in regular contact with the administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service: Public Consultation

Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 20 March (HL3102),what has been the nature of the consultation with representatives of subsequent genocides which will be included in the UK Holocaust Memorial Learning Centre; and what was the outcome of those consultations.

Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 20 March (HL3105),on what dates and in which locations or websites the consultations on a UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre took place; and whether there is a record of the responses.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission issued a Call for Evidence which received almost 2,500 responses. The Commission’s conclusions, together with a list of organisations providing formal responses, was published in the Commission’s report Britain’s Promise to Remember (2015).Comments were invited on the 10 shortlisted designs for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, details of which were published online and exhibited at sites in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff in 2017. Two public exhibitions of the chosen design were held in 2018.Full consultation on the planning application opened in January 2019. Around 4,500 comments were submitted online, ahead of the planning inquiry at which 69 people made oral representations. The independent Planning Inspector provided a summary of written representations and a detailed appendix of oral representations in his report recommending that planning consent should be awarded.The scope and content of the Learning Centre exhibition will be developed by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, drawing on a wide range of external advice and expertise. That process has not concluded and the noble Baroness is welcome to make any suggestions or views known to the foundation directly.

Cabinet Office

Hikvision: CCTV

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total cost to date of the removal of Hikvision cameras from Whitehall departments; and what estimate they have made of the cost to local authorities of removing Hikvision cameras from local council buildings.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: It is a long-standing policy that the Government does not comment on security arrangements including the details of security systems. However, the UK takes national security extremely seriously and has taken robust action to secure and protect its national security infrastructure. Following Royal Assent of the Procurement Act on 26 October 2023 the Government committed to publishing a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment supplied by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of China from sensitive sites within six months. This timeline is due to be published by 26 April.Sensitive sites were defined “as any building or complex that routinely holds secret material or above; any location that hosts a significant proportion of officials holding developed vetting clearance; any location which is routinely used by Ministers; and any government location covered under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.”While local authorities may choose to follow the lead of central government in removing surveillance equipment they are under no obligation to do so. We encourage all organisations to follow NCSC supply chain security guidance when selecting a technology supplier. This guidance clearly sets the security standards that suppliers should meet and the considerations that organisations should be making during the procurement process.

Department for Business and Trade

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of the disapplication in respect of Northern Ireland of provisions under sections 2 and 4 of the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act 2024.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: Northern Ireland (NI) is in the UK's customs territory and therefore NI traders benefit from UK trade deals including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The rules of origin within the deal are clear - NI goods are treated the same way as goods from any other part of the UK.The Government's analysis is that this trade deal will increase Northern Ireland's Gross Value Added by around £70 million relative to 2019 values. NI exporters will benefit from these new opportunities: over 99% of UK goods exported to CPTPP member countries, including goods from Northern Ireland, will be eligible for zero tariffs.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the differences in effect of the application of the entirety of the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act 2024 in England compared to its partial application in Northern Ireland.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: Northern Ireland (NI) is in the UK's customs territory and therefore NI traders benefit from UK trade deals including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The rules of origin within the deal are clear - NI goods are treated the same way as goods from any other part of the UK.Our analysis is that this trade deal will increase Northern Ireland's Gross Value Added by around £70 million relative to 2019 values. NI exporters will benefit from these new opportunities: Well over 99% of UK goods exported to CPTPP member countries, including goods from Northern Ireland, will be eligible for zero tariffs.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Chemicals: Regulation

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case forincorporating into pharmaceutical, pesticide and other chemical regulation consideration of impacts on human, animal, plant and soil microbiomes.

Lord Douglas-Miller: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) operates a robust programme of regulating and monitoring medicines to ensure patients have access to safe and effective medicines. While the microbiome is still an evolving field, the MHRA is working to further our understanding on the impact of pharmaceuticals on the microbiome. Experts in MHRA are leading on international efforts to improve understanding of this area, for example through the development of World Health Organisation reference reagents for the microbiome. The potential impact of a chemical on plant health, including soil microbiomes is already considered, as appropriate, as part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s robust risk assessment process for pesticides and for biocides. The legislation around veterinary medicines makes it clear that when considering the authorisation of antimicrobial substances for use in animals, there should be consideration of the impacts on the human, target animal, and environmental microbiomes, including plants and soils.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Regulation

Lord Young of Cookham: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the regulators referred to inA pro-innovation approach to AI regulation: government response (CP 1019).

Viscount Camrose: Given the cross-cutting nature of AI, our regulatory approach is relevant to a wide range of regulators, and as such the White Paper and government response did not refer to specific regulators. We encourage all regulators to consider how our AI regulatory principles may be applied within their remits, and have published guidance to support them with this.We have published the letters that the Secretary of State wrote jointly with cabinet colleagues to a number of regulators impacted by AI, asking them to publish an update on their strategic approach to AI by 30th April.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask His Majesty's Government what barriers exist to the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and what steps they are taking to remove those barriers.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have set out five steps that Israel needs to take, including:an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out;increased capacity for aid distribution inside Gaza;increased access for aid through land routes and a fully open Ashdod Port for aid delivery;an expansion of the types of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza;and the provision of electricity, water and telecommunications.The Foreign Secretary has appointed a Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson. He is based in the region and is working intensively to address the blockages preventing more aid reaching Gaza.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of support among Arab residents of Jerusalem for Israeli control of the city; and to what extent this is a consideration for their policy towards Israel and Palestine.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have not made a specific assessment of this.We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. A political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution is one of the vital elements for a lasting peace, with Jerusalem as shared capital of both Israel and Palestine.

Hong Kong: Sanctions

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 20 March on Hong Kong security legislation, whether they are still actively considering targeted sanctions against Chinese officials; and if not, why.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The FCDO has never ruled out sanctions designations on any individual or entity. Any document which says otherwise is inaccurate and does not correctly reflect government policy at the time or currently. It is not appropriate to speculate on future designations, as to do so could reduce their impact, but the FCDO continues to keep potential sanctions designations under close review.

Israel: Hamas

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatfurther steps they will take, along with international partners, to secure a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has long been calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. The UK welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 2728 on 25 March, which reflects international consensus behind the UK's position.Vital elements for a lasting peace include:the release of all hostages;the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package;removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel;Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and,a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have reiterated these messages in their contacts with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders, as well as leaders in Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia Lebanon, Egypt, and the UAE in recent weeks.

Ministry of Justice

Prison Accommodation and Sentencing

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned any research on a causal link between (1) an expansion of prison places and more custodial sentences, and (2) a reduction in violent and other serious crime episodes in a given period of time.

Lord Bellamy: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not commissioned research looking directly at any causal link of the kind mentioned in the question. However, the MoJ continues to carefully monitor the use of the prison estate and the sentencing framework to ensure that the most serious offenders are appropriately punished, and that the public are kept safe.That is why we are embarking on the largest expansion of our prison estate since the Victorian era, investing £4 billion toward the delivery of 20,000 additional, modern places. By the end of 2025, we are on track to have delivered around 10,000 places in total. Reducing crime and protecting the public, however, is not only about increased custody. Evidence shows that 55% of people given a custodial sentence of less than 12 months go on to be convicted of further proven offences in the following 12 months. For offenders punished with Suspended Sentence Orders with requirements that are served in the community, the reoffending rate is significantly lower at 24%. That is why we are introducing a presumption to suspend sentences of under 12 months. However, judges will still be able to exercise their discretion to impose custody in exceptional circumstances. We have also included exemptions to the presumption where there is a significant risk of harm to an individual or where the offender has breached an order of the court, as is the case for many repeat and prolific offenders.

Prisons: Construction

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to expand the built prison estate to account for the estimated population increases to 2035 and beyond.

Lord Bellamy: We are delivering 20,000 additional, modern prison places, the largest prison build programme since the Victorian era, ensuring the right conditions are in place to rehabilitate prisoners, helping to cut crime and protect the public. These places are being delivered through the construction of six new prisons, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate and temporary accommodation. To date, we have delivered c.5,900 of these places and are on track to have delivered c.10,000 by the end of 2025.In October 2023, the Lord Chancellor announced funding of up to £30 million to start acquiring land that will be required for future prison capacity.The Department has taken a number of steps to identify land for potential prison sites. We have commissioned a property agent to search the market for land in the North West and South East, our areas of greatest forecast demand for prison places; officials have started discussions with significant private and public sector landowners and continue to assess a shortlist of sites for planning risk and strategic and operational fit. In parallel, officials are engaged in strategic conversations with local and regional leaders to identify areas where communities would welcome the economic and employment benefits of a new prison.

Prisoners' Release: Overcrowding

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the early release of prisoners with a custodial sentence of less than 12 months, in order to alleviate overcrowding in the prison estate, on (1) reoffending rates, (2) public safety and (3) the operational effectiveness of the Probation Service.

Lord Bellamy: Delivering public protection and reducing reoffending is not just about custody. The Probation Service plays a vital role in protecting the public and reducing reoffending. For some less serious offenders, suspended and community sentences are more effective for rehabilitation.Community requirements can help to deter reoffending, drive swift consequences for non-compliance, protect the public, and ensure offenders feel the weight of crime. Probation assess an offender’s risk prior to, and throughout sentences, to ensure that offenders are appropriately monitored and supervised, following robust risk assessment measures to ensure public safety.Evidence shows that 55% of people given a custodial sentence of less than 12 months are convicted of further offences. For offenders punished with Suspended Sentence Orders with requirements that are served in the community, the reoffending rate is significantly lower at 24%. That is why we are introducing a presumption to suspend sentences of under 12 months, however judges will still be able to exercise their discretion to impose custody in exceptional circumstances. We have also included exemptions to the presumption where there is a significant risk of harm to an individual or where the offender has breached an order of the court, as is the case for many repeat and prolific offenders. We know there are existing challenges and will be additional demands on the Probation Service as a result of the presumption to suspend short sentences. That is why we have increased funding for the Probation Service by an additional £155 million a year to recruit record levels of staff so that we can bring down caseloads and deliver better and more consistent supervision of offenders in the community. We continue to accelerate recruitment of Probation Officers, with over 4,000 trainees joining the service since 2020 and an overall increase in staffing levels across the board. We are also resetting probation to prioritise early engagement and supervision in the first two-thirds of an offender’s sentence, a critical period during which probation staff can have the greatest impact on public protection and reducing reoffending.

Reoffenders

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their strategy for ensuring public safety and efficacious offender management in respect of hyper-prolific offenders.

Lord Bellamy: For the most persistent and problematic offenders in the community, Integrated Offender Management has received a 3-year investment of up to £30 million to ensure those that commit burglary, robbery and theft offences receive robust cross-agency supervision by Police and Probation, and to commission services that will seek to support and address risks and needs of this cohort. We are also piloting three Intensive Supervision Courts which aim to target the root cause of offending behaviour through supervision and interventions delivered by a multi-agency team, overseen by a single judge who will regularly review each participant’s progress.The courts have a wide range of options to deal with this group of offenders and relevant previous convictions are a statutory aggravating factor which the courts must consider at the point of sentencing. While custody will often be appropriate for these offenders, and in fact is the most common sentence given to prolific offenders, it is right that our courts have the ability to pass an appropriate sentence based on the case in front of them. Robust research has shown lower reoffending rates for sentences served in the community when compared to short custodial sentences.Through the Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD) programme, we are also taking steps to understand better which factors are most important in leading to reduced reoffending for prolific offenders, in order to help us target our approach for this cohort.